Our Constitution | The Utah County Democratic Party

Constitution of the
Utah County Democratic Party

Preamble

We, the Utah County Democratic Party, united in common purpose, acknowledge that we are a party of enduring strength, and that we must lead, guided by those we lead. These principles are essential to the democracy our country’s founders forged.

We dedicate ourselves to seek individual freedom in the framework of a just society and to encourage and support all citizens to seek political freedom through meaningful participation in our country’s governance.

We believe that for a political party to be worthy of the responsibility the people place in it, that party must be responsive to the people; we also believe that a party that asks for the people’s trust must prove that it trusts the people. Bound by the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Utah, we pledge ourselves to open, honest ideals in party governance and to elect Democrats to local, state, and national office who will best represent and carry out these principles.

We pledge ourselves to educate citizens about and enhance their understanding of the political process and of the Democratic Party. We also pledge to sustain the human and constitutional rights of all. A party that hopes to call for the best the nation can achieve must embody the best of our common heritage and traditions. To achieve these goals, we establish this Constitution to guide and govern the Utah County Democratic Party.

Article I - Utah County Democratic Party

Section 1. The Utah County Democratic Party shall:

Nominate and assist in the election of Democratic Party candidates for public, elected office;
Adopt and promote statements of policy;
Establish standards and rules of procedure to provide all members of the Utah County Democratic Party full, timely, and equal opportunities to participate in decisions concerning the selection of candidates, the formulation of policy, and the conduct of other Utah County Democratic Party affairs, and to promote fair campaign practices and the fair adjudication of disputes;
Raise and disburse monies needed for the successful operation of the Utah County Democratic Party;
Work with Democratic public officials at all levels to achieve the objectives of the Utah County Democratic Party, and;
Encourage and support codes of political ethics for public officials in state and local governments, to ensure that public officials shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner that reflects credibility upon the office they serve, and shall not use their office to gain special privileges and benefits, and shall refrain from acting in their official capacities when a conflict of interest arises that would affect their independence of judgment.

Section 2. Participation in the Utah County Democratic Party shall be open to any resident of Utah County who wishes to affiliate with the party unless otherwise specified in this constitution or the bylaws.

Article II - Party Leadership

Section 1. The County Executive Committee shall administer the affairs of the Utah County Democratic Party subject to this constitution, the bylaws, and the county conventions. This responsibility shall include:

Implementing decisions approved at county conventions, by the County Central Committee, or by the County Steering Committee;
Proposing new programs, committees, identity caucuses, or initiatives;
Organizing fundraising and campaign activities;
Appointing or dismissing individuals to temporary auxiliary positions;
Making provisions for meetings of the County Central Committee and County Steering Committee, county conventions, house district meetings, precinct caucuses, and all other necessary meetings;
Taking all other actions necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the objectives of the Utah County Democratic Party not specifically reserved to themselves by the County Central Committee or County Steering Committee.

Section 2. The County Executive Committee shall be composed of a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. Members of the County Executive Committee shall be residents of Utah County, registered to vote in the State of Utah, and registered members of the Democratic Party.

Section 3. The members of the County Executive Committee shall serve for terms commencing on the adjournment of the county organizing convention in which they are elected and terminating on the adjournment of the next county organizing convention.

Section 4. The County Central Committee shall legislate the affairs of the Utah County Democratic Party subject to this constitution, the bylaws, and the county conventions. This responsibility shall include:

Approving amendments to this constitution and to the bylaws;
Formulating and approving statements of policy and platform;
Approving the annual budget of the Utah County Democratic Party;
Approving programs or initiatives proposed by the County Executive Committee;
By a two-thirds vote, and with the consent of the County Executive Committee, approving the creation or dissolution of a County Steering Committee;
By a two-thirds vote, removing or disciplining any member of the County Executive Committee, and, by a two-thirds vote, filling any vacancy in the County Executive Committee;
By a two-thirds vote, removing or disciplining any member of the County Central Committee, County Steering Committee, or any house district, precinct, or caucus officer, or any member of the Utah County Democratic Party, and, by a two-thirds vote, filling any house district or precinct officer vacancy.

Section 5. The County Central Committee shall be composed of:

Members of the County Executive Committee;
Members of the County Steering Committee;
Members of approved committees and sub-committees;
County identity caucus officers;
House district officers;
Precinct officers;
Any others approved by a majority of the County Central Committee.

Section 6. When established by the County Central Committee, the County Steering Committee shall have the authority to:

Assist in implementing programs, initiatives, or decisions approved by the County Executive Committee or County Central Committee;
By a two-thirds vote, approve the creation of committees and subcommittees;
By a two-thirds vote, approve the creation of county identity caucuses;
Recommend to the County Central Committee the removal or discipline of any party officer.

Section 7. The County Steering Committee shall be composed of:

Members of the County Executive Committee;
Chairs of approved committees and subcommittees;
County identity caucus chairs;
Immediate past county chair as a non-voting member of the body;
Any others approved by a majority of the County Steering Committee.

Section 8. When no Steering Committee is established its enumerated authority shall be reserved for the County Central Committee.

Section 9. No individual may serve as a member of the County Executive, Central, or Steering Committee who is actively participating in the leadership, organization, convention, or other activities of any other political party.

Article III - County Primary Convention

Section 1. In even-numbered years, the county chair, in the name of the County Executive Committee, shall conduct a county primary convention. The county chair shall be the convention chair unless other provisions have been made for a convention chair pro tempore.

Section 2. While in session, the convention shall be the sole governing body of the Utah County Democratic Party.

Section 3. The County Executive Committee shall issue the official convention call to county delegates no less than fourteen working days before the convention is to convene. This call shall be issued either by mail or email to every county delegate.

Section 4. The convention shall nominate one candidate for public office for each vacancy in the offices of county commissioner, county attorney, county clerk, county sheriff, and other elections that take place within Utah County, provided the office is open to election. The bylaws shall provide for the methods of nomination and election; in the absence of specific provisions, candidates shall be selected in a manner consistent with the procedures of the Utah Democratic Party and applicable state law. The convention may also vote on motions submitted by the County Executive Committee, County Central Committee, County Steering Committee, or any other approved committee or subcommittee.

Section 5. The term “candidate for public office” shall mean any person who has established substantial support for their nomination as the Democratic candidate for the public office either through substantial support of the delegates at the primary convention or through a nomination petition as provided by applicable state law. This person shall be a bona fide Democrat who shall have the interests, welfare, and success of the Utah County Democratic Party at heart and will participate in the convention in good faith. The County Central Committee shall have the authority to deny a person who has filed for office with the State of Utah or county clerk the status of “candidate for public office” on the grounds of this section by a 90% vote of the members present at a regular or special meeting.

Section 6. The bylaws shall provide the method by which convention rules of order and proceeding are proposed and adopted. In the absence of other provisions or rules of order and proceeding, Robert's Rules of Order, as most recently revised, shall govern the conduct of the convention.

Section 7. The County Executive Committee shall convene no sooner than seventy-two hours prior to the first day of the convention to determine who shall receive official credentials as county delegates. The County Executive Committee shall have authority in resolving all matters regarding credentials.

Section 8. The County Executive Committee, or those designated by the Committee, shall arrange the site, time, and amenities of the convention. The Committee shall govern vendors, room assignments, and other necessary matters.

Section 9. The following people are entitled to be full delegates of the convention:

Members of the County Executive Committee, including auxiliary positions;
Members of the County Central Committee;
Members of the County Steering Committee;
House district and precinct officers;
Current or former elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party and currently reside in Utah County;
Any resident of Utah County who is eligible to vote in the State of Utah and affiliates with the Democratic Party who is present at the convention for credentialing.

Section 10. No individual may serve as delegate of the convention who is actively participating in the leadership, organization, convention, or other activities of any other political party.

Article IV - County Organizing Convention

Section 1. In odd-numbered years, the county chair shall organize and conduct a county organizing convention in the name of the County Executive Committee. The county chair shall be the convention chair, unless other provisions have been made for a convention chair pro tempore.

Section 2. While in session, the convention shall be the sole governing body of the Utah County Democratic Party.

Section 4. The convention shall elect one person for each of the following offices: county chair, county vice-chair, county secretary, and county treasurer. Individuals may file for these offices with the county secretary prior to the call to order of the county organizing convention. The bylaws shall provide the method of election and for filling vacancies if no one files as a candidate, or if a candidate dies, resigns, is disqualified, or becomes incapable of serving. The convention may also vote on motions submitted by the County Executive Committee, County Central Committee, County Steering Committee, or any other approved committee or subcommittee.

Section 5. Rules of order and proceedings, credentials, elections, and all other arrangements shall operate in accordance with Article III.

Section 6. Delegates to the county organizing convention shall be the same as those specified in Article III.

Article V - Delegates to State Party Conventions

Section 1. The following provisions shall serve as the state delegate selection plan of the Utah County Democratic Party. Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, age (if of voting age), color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or disability is strictly prohibited in the execution of this state delegate selection plan.

Section 2. Upon receiving a state delegate allotment, the Utah County Democratic Party shall first designate the following individuals as state delegates:

Members of the County Executive Committee, including auxiliary positions;
Members of the County Steering Committee;
House district chairs;
Any currently nominated Democratic candidate for federal, state, state legislative, or county office who resides in Utah County;
Any current or former Democratic official who was elected to a federal, state, state legislative, or county office and who currently resides in Utah County.

Section 3. Remaining state delegate positions shall be reserved for precinct-elected state delegates. Each precinct in Utah County may elect one individual to represent that precinct as state delegate in accordance with procedures contained in Article VI. These individuals must reside in the precinct in which they are seeking election, be registered to vote in the State of Utah, and be registered members of the Democratic Party.

Section 4. Should the total number of precinct-elected delegates exceed the number of available state delegate positions, the County Executive Committee shall select precinct-elected state delegates at random until all positions are filled, in a manner that is fair and impartial.

Section 5. Should any state delegate position remain unfilled following the execution of previous sections, any member of the County Executive Committee may nominate an individual to serve as state delegate at any time prior to state convention credentialing deadlines. Nominated state delegates must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the County Central Committee, must reside in Utah County, must be registered to vote in the State of Utah, and must be registered members of the Democratic Party.

Section 6. No individual may serve as state delegate who is actively participating in the leadership, organization, convention, or other activities of any other political party.

Section 7. State delegates representing Utah County shall not be coerced to vote in any way by any member of the Party, nor shall their status as state delegate be contingent on any other qualifications than the ones specified in this article.

Section 8. State delegates who die, resign, or are otherwise disqualified may be replaced at any time prior to state convention credentialing deadlines in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 5 of this article. The County Executive Committee shall have the authority to appoint alternate delegates if necessary.

Section 9. The bylaws shall make provisions for resolving disputes in delegate selection, qualification, and credentialing.

Article VI - House District and Precinct Officers

Section 1. The County Executive Committee shall make provisions for an annual meeting for each district of the Utah House of Representatives in Utah County. In odd-numbered years the purpose of the house district meeting shall be to elect house district officers. The purpose in even-numbered years shall be to select a nominee for the general election if more than one Democratic candidate has filed for election in a single house district.

Section 2. The house district officers shall be chair, vice-chair, and secretary. House district officers shall be residents of the house district in which they are seeking election, registered to vote in the State of Utah, and registered members of the Democratic Party. The terms of these officers shall commence on the adjournment of the house district meeting in which they are elected and terminate on the adjournment of the next odd-numbered year house district meeting.

Section 3. Any individual who is present at a house district meeting, is a resident of that house district, is eligible to vote in the State of Utah, and affiliates with the Democratic Party, may vote in that house district meeting.

Section 4. In even-numbered years the County Executive Committee shall make provisions for each precinct in Utah County to conduct a precinct caucus, for the purpose of electing precinct officers.

Section 5. The precinct officers shall be a chair, vice-chair, and state delegate. Precinct officers shall be residents of the precinct in which they are seeking election, registered to vote in the State of Utah, and registered members of the Democratic Party. An individual may serve concurrently as either chair or vice-chair and state delegate. The terms of these officers shall commence on the adjournment of the precinct caucus in which they are elected and terminate on the adjournment of the next precinct caucus.

Section 6. Any individual who is present at a precinct caucus, is a resident of that precinct, is eligible to vote in the State of Utah, and affiliates with the Democratic Party, may vote in that precinct caucus.

Section 7. An individual may serve concurrently as a precinct officer and a house district officer provided they meet all other qualifications.

Section 8. No individual actively participating in the leadership, organization, convention, or other activities of any other political party may serve as precinct or house district officer, nor may that individual participate in precinct caucus or house district elections.

Article VII - General Provisions

Section 1. Discrimination in the conduct of party affairs on the basis race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age (if of voting age), color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, economic status, or disability is strictly prohibited.

Section 2. Every reasonable effort shall be made to ensure that all meetings are open to the public, except as provided in this constitution, the bylaws, or Utah state law. The time and place for all public meetings of the Utah County Democratic Party on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons.

Section 3. Every reasonable effort shall be made to ensure that in-person and virtual events are fully accessible, including accessible parking, paths to meetings, rooms, and restrooms, and to grant requests for reasonable accommodations including closed captions and technical assistance. Accessibility information shall be included on relevant event materials. At all events, every reasonable effort shall be made to provide at least one gender-neutral restroom.

Section 4. All individuals shall have one vote in party affairs irrespective of the number of positions held. No person shall be mandated or coerced to vote contrary to their conscience.

Section 5. In the absence of other provisions, Robert's Rules of Order, as most recently revised, shall govern the conduct of all meetings of the Utah County Democratic Party.

Section 6. Should any part of this constitution be determined by a qualified public official to be in violation of the laws of the United States, the laws of the State of Utah, or a Utah County ordinance, or determined by the Democratic National Committee or the Utah Democratic Party to be in violation of their governing documents, only that part alone shall cease to have effect and all other parts shall be considered wholly severable and remain in complete force. If such a determination is made, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to remedy the situation until an amendment can be presented to the County Central Committee.

Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution of the Utah County Democratic Party shall be made in the following manner:

An amendment to this constitution may be proposed by any member of the County Central Committee, provided the proposed amendment has been sponsored, in writing, by no fewer than four members of the County Central Committee. The proposed amendment, including sponsors, must be submitted in writing to the county secretary;
Following the submission of a proposed amendment, the county secretary shall publish the proposed amendment on all relevant Party platforms for no less than fourteen days and provide a method for Party members to submit comment;
Following the review period, the proposed amendments shall be presented at the next meeting of the County Central Committee. Open discussion and amendment from the floor will be permitted. Once the text of the proposed amendment has been finalized by the county parliamentarian or other designee, the County Central Committee may approve the amendment with a two-thirds vote of the members present.

Section 2. Bylaws of the Utah County Democratic Party shall be adopted to provide for the governance of the affairs of the Party in matters not provided for herein. Bylaws may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of those present at a meeting of the County Central Committee.

Constitution Adoption and Amendment History

Initial Adoption Date: 9 June 1979

Amended by Central Committee: 29 April 1994

New Constitution Ratified by Central Committee: 19 March 2009

New Constitution Ratified by Central Committee: 10 November 2018

Amended by Central Committee: 10 April 2021

Amended by Central Committee: 22 September 2021